Chained By The Alpha By Jessica Hall

Zayn

The roar of my engine cuts through the quiet as I pull into Alpha Greyson’s territory, the familiar scent of pine and earth greeting me. As soon as my boots hit the gravel, I’m met with Greyson’s booming laughter as he comes out his front door and down the steps. Greyson’s light brown hair 1s windswept, his strong jawline defined as he nods in acknowledgment. His piercing blue eyes seem to glint with amusement, but there is a hint of something else lurking behind them

“Heard you riled up Alpha Dane and Joseph at the meeting the other day?” His voice carries across the distance, and even though it’s lighthearted, it does nothing to ease the knot in

my stomach. Since I am having to ask a favor

“News travels fast,” I reply, shutting the car door with a thud that echoes in the open space. The scent of pine and impending rain mingles in the air, a storm brewing just like the one inside me

Greyson’s lips curling into a smirk, his nod indicating both amusement and a hint of skepticism. The lines around his eyes crinkle, revealing his age “Indeed,” Greyson nods

Greyson crosses his arms, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp as flint. “I bet that got under their skin. Joseph looked like he was ready to tear someone apart when he left.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” I mutter, thinking of how easily tempers flare when pack laws and personal desires clash

“True enough. So, tell me, what’s brought you to my doorstep today?” Greyson asks, tilting his head, his keen gaze dissecting my every intention

My gaze drifts across the sprawling packhouse, an imposing structure shadowed by the dense forest that encircles it. Alpha Greyson stands before me, his presence as commanding as ever

“You need my help, don’t you?” he asks before I can even answer

“T might, which is why I came here.” Alpha Greyson nods slowly, regarding me carefully before looking away

“Whatever you need, you have my support.”

“You haven’t even heard what I have to say,” I remind him

Greyson’s expression sobers instantly, the lines of his face hardening into a hardened resolve. “I don’t need to. If it’s going against Joseph and Samuel, you know I want in. Especially after what they did to Clara.” His tone 1s like steel

“You truly believe Joseph had something to do with Clara’s death?” My voice is a low growl, barely contained, as the memory of my aunty wailing for her friend comes to mind when she learned of her death

Greyson’s eyes harden, like two chips of flint ready to spark. “You doubt me?” His tone slices through the tension

I shake my head, casting the doubts away like dead leaves in a storm. “No, of course not.” I glance back at Greyson, finding his steel gaze unwavering. “Andrea isn’t fond of them either,” I confess. “She wanted me to cut the treaty

agreements with Samuel but didn’t want to leave Clara’s daughter unprotected.”

“Understandable,” Greyson nods, his eyes reflecting a storm brewing within. “Cleo needs all the protection she can get, doesn’t she? Especially after hearing about this marriage alliance with Alpha Dane.” There’s a snarl lacing his words, and it resonates with the anger coiling in my gut

I can stop it, a surge of possessiveness gripping me so fiercely it’s almost crippling. Images of Cleo, her light blue eyes wide with fear, flash through my mind, and my wolf prowls beneath my skin, eager to claim what’s ours

I narrow my eyes in confusion, a frown creasing my forehead as I try to piece together Greyson’s words. “What do you mean?”

“Rumor is that Alpha Samuel was the one who came up with the idea,” Greyson says. He moves closer and leans against the hood of my car, arms crossed over his broad chest. “Now, why would he suggest such a thing to Joseph?”

The question hangs heavy in the air, making me think for a second

“Of course, Linda jumped all over the idea

Now, why would she do that?” Greyson continues to probe, his voice sharp, not hiding his hate for Linda

“Because she’s always weaving her web of manipulation, that’s why,” I snap, the pieces falling into place with a clarity that chills me to my core. The muscles in my jaw clench as I piece together the nefarious puzzle. “So her daughter inherits the pack. Therefore, Samuel does,” I answer, my frustration growing. The

power play is clear as day, and it sickens me

Greyson’s eyes narrow, and he leans in, his voice low and dangerous. “Exactly. But I’m curious how you became involved in this entire situation,” he inquires, his gaze sharp and my lips tug in the corners

I clench my jaw, meeting Greyson’s probing gaze. “Be ready for war, old man,” I growl

“Because if you’re right about Samuel, it looks like it’s me and you against the rest.”

Greyson’s laughter rolls across the space between us. The sound is laced with something feral, the promise of a fight he’s been craving

“Good thing I’m on the winning side, then.” He states. “But you still didn’t answer my question

This seems out of character for you. You generally try to keep peace within the city

What’s made you declare war? Has to be more

than morals.”

“Sometimes, peace isn’t an option,” I admit, my voice low and steady, betraying none

of the chaos brewing inside me. “Especially when those you care about are threatened.” The image of Cleo flashes through my mind her smile, her strength, the softness of her skin under my touch. The thought of her being pawned off ignites a fire in my veins that no amount of reason can extinguish

Greyson studies me, his eyes narrowing as if he sees straight through me. “Ah,” he says, the word drawn out and knowing. “So it’s personal.”

“Isn’t it always?” I counter, the corner of my mouth twitching with a humorless smirk

“When it comes to protecting what’s yours, the rules change. You know that better than anyone.”

I turn to leave, my hand wraps around the handle, the metal cool, when I stop looking back at Greyson

“Tell me, Greyson,” I push past the lump in my throat, “if you had your chance over

again with Clara?” I watch his jaw clench and his nostrils flare. The air between us thickens with unspoken understanding

His voice, when it comes, is like gravel dragged through dark memories. “I would bring

this city to its knees to protect her and Cleo.”

“Well, there’s your answer, Greyson, because I’d do the same for Cleo,” I say, my voice

steady